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When a Love Story Makes You Cry

Hi Friends,

Today I have the pleasure of hosting Joanne Bischoff, the author of the Cadence of Grace Series. I loved Be Still My Soul, and Though My Heart is Torn, books 1 and 2. So I was thrilled when I received the manuscript for My Hope is Found, book 3, to read early for endorsement. It is wonderful! I highly recommend starting with Be Still My Soul so you don’t miss any of Lonnie and Gideon’s story!

Joanne is doing an awesome giveaway, and I am adding to it. Please read all the way to the bottom for details.

When a Love Story Makes You Cry, by Joanne Bischoff

Recently, I had the privilege of reading Carrie’s novel, The Governess of Highland Hall, for endorsement. My husband and I were heading to St. Louis for the 14th annual Christy awards, and having Carrie’s manuscript in hand, I packed it in my suitcase for some in-flight reading. When we and all the passengers were buckled into our seats, I was immersed in the story that Carrie was so beautifully weaving. I’m a nervous flyer, so I get a bit of anxiety when the plane lifts off—so my solution was to keep my nose in her book as we sped down the runway.

There’s a tender, beautiful scene that takes place in the gardens on the great estate of Highland Hall… and in that moment, just as the plane was gearing up to lift into the air, I had tears in my eyes. I’m quite certain I looked like the nervous flyer that I was, but the tears had nothing to do with the liftoff and everything to do with the pages before me. I love it when a book does that. When a book hits our heart in such a way…that the tears come.

For those of you who know me, I write Appalachian Romance and one of the things I always try to pour into each story is an emotional connection between the reader and the characters. But tears and…romance? How can that be?

Love takes on so many shapes and forms. It has the ability to move us in incredible ways. Stretch our hearts taut with yearning—in the way that only love can. Because of this, love stories can at times, make us cry. I often think that books should come with a little secret pocket to hold a few Kleenex. That and a small box of dark chocolate! For extra emotional support, of course. As an author, it’s been so special to receive notes from readers who have been reading the Cadence of Grace series and hear them share the emotions they experienced. Here are a few snippets:

“Oh, you should have warned me that I would need a tissue…BOX! I am about half way through the book and half way through a box of tissues…I am excited to see how this all plays out.”

“How long does it take to read a 334 page novel? Between working, sobbing, preparing meals, sobbing, jumping up in reckless abandon because I’m flooded with emotion and sobbing some more… Thank you, thank you!”

There’s just something about being a girl. And the fact that sometimes…we just need a good cry. A bit of angst. That will they won’t they—it’s good for the soul—love story cry. But how can a love story break your heart? How can it still be a romance?

How can it still satisfy?

It satisfies because as women we understand the chase. The depths that yearning can take us to. The unknowing if it’s all going to work out, all the while hoping that two people can find one another. Love—it’s a beautiful thing. We see it played out in scripture, the greatest love story of all time. We reach for an inspirational romance because as the tears roll down, we hunger for victory. It’s the knowledge that hope and love are laced throughout, growing stronger with each turning of the page. It’s what has our nose in the pages, the phone ringer set to silent, a few Kleenex on hand, and a full, full heart.

Have you read a love story recently that’s tugged at your heartstrings?

***

Thanks for visiting us on the “A Book For Every Reader” blog tour! Leave a comment below to be entered to win not one but TWO books! One of Joanne’s and one of mine. Also, to enter in the grand giveaway prize which includes some country goodies and an e-reader, simply hop on over and fill out the entry form: http://www.joannebischof.com/extras/blogtour/

You’ll also find the official details. Winners will be drawn on September 28th and contacted via email. Thank you for joining us!

Christy Award-finalist and author of The Cadence of Grace series, Joanne Bischofhas a deep passion for Appalachian culture and writing stories that shine light on God’s grace and goodness. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her husband and their three children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, folk music, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life.

Hi Mary, thanks for stopping by! Joanne is a very gifted writer. Her first book, Be Still My Soul, was nominated for a Christy Award. That’s one of the top awards in Christian fiction. It’s a lovely series. I hope you have a chance to read all three books!

Tears and romance go hand and hand! I guess I am an old softie. My eyes seem to fill with tears when I am deeply touched. God created romance and He saw it was good! I would love to win one of your books as well as one of Joanne’s.

I was recently given the privilege of reviewing an ARC of a debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman by Carole Brown, and it really touched me. It wasn’t only about the romance but about the extreme situations the heroine went through as we’ll. it really tugged at my heart strings and emotions. Thank you for having this giveaway. I would love to read your book!

Hey, Carrie and Joanne, it was SUCH fun sitting with you at breakfast at ACFW — two of my favorite authors and friends!!

LOL … I have to agree with Judy above when she said, “Tears and romance go hand and hand!” Or at least they do in both of your books and mine as well, which is one of he reasons I SO fell in love with both The Governess of Highland Hall (and, yes, Carrie made me cry too!!) and Joanne’s Cadence series. These two amazing authors lay the readers emotions bare, which I absolutely adore. I hate roller-coasters in real life, but in my love stories??? Buckle up, baby, and take me for a ride!! 😉

OH, Julie! I just love that! In real life, not so much fun, but in a love story, most definitely 😉 I feel that in yours that I’m reading now! And Carrie, you sure got me a time or two and oh, that scene that had me on the airplane– just lovely!!!

It was so wonderful to sit with both of you at ACFW. A highlight of the conference for me!

I would love to read Carrie’s book! It is added to my TBR pile as we speak! I have had the privilege of reading all three of Joanne Bischof’s books in the Cadence of Grace series and was so deeply moved with each installment. They are fabulous! Anyway – so excited for this chance to win! Blessings on you both!

What a wonderful post! I love it when a book moves me in some way; I know the writing is good when I find tears running down my cheeks because of beauty or heartache on the page. Most recently, that was _A Bride for Keeps_ by Melissa Jagears, which had me crying for both reasons! Thanks for the giveaway.

This is a double fun post today and I look forward to learning more about Joanne Bischof.

You asked if I had read a story recently that tugged at my heartstrings. I can certainly answer “Yes” to that. I just finished reading Julianne Donaldson’s two novels, “Edenbrooke” and “Blackmoore.” Both were delightful but I must say that “Blackmoore” especially grabbed my heart.

I am searching my brain for a book that made me cry, and I am having a hard time coming up with anything. I’ve had a few book in which I had to stop reading and take a breather, because I found myself being sucked in emotionally. But I don’t remember any tears flowing. I am a pretty emotional person, but I guess when it comes to books, I am able to contain myself better.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway. I have read the first book in Joanne’s series. I own the second one, but have yet to read it. And Carrie, yours has been on my to read list since I saw your beautiful cover!

It’s that being pulled in emotionally that really gets me and it sounds like you too. 🙂 So glad that you’ve read Be Still My Soul and have Though My Heart is Torn on your TBR (#2 seems to be the tear-jerker in the set) 😉

I am a big softie! I cry at anything even slightly touching, haha. The last one that really touched me was Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund and The Remedy by Serena Chase (two totally different genres, but the love stories are fabulous!). Now, the last book that actually had me shedding a few tears was There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones – talk about a surprise crying from a YA and contemporary novel – but it was that moving.

Hey Carrie and Joanne! Glad I was able to pop over here today. Thanks, Joanne, for posting updates on Facebook. All I can say is that the tears fell hard and often while reading Book 2, Though My Heart is Torn. I still can’t believe the series ended….I miss those characters. I don’t think I’ve read another book that touched me the way your books have touched me, Joanne. The only other book I recall (off the top of my head) making me cry, was MaryLu Tyndall’s book the Falcon and the Sparrow. And that was more of a *sigh* than a cry. And I just finished reading The Fields of the Fatherless by Elaine Marie Cooper, which had me emotional on a different level.
Hugs!

I often cry when I read romances. I always take my kindle with me whenever I go somewhere. It is kind of embarrassing when I am in the doctor’s office and he walks in and I am crying. I would love to win this book.

These books all sound like just the kind of romance books I enjoy–I LOVE when they get you attached to the characters enough to bring tears to your eyes as you read the book! I would love to win these books and find more new authors to love as well!
Vicki

I love stories that make me cry, although I am usually embarrassed to be caught crying while reading 😉
I love Joanne’s stories, but look forward to discovering Carrie’s stories now – and I’m partial cause my daughter’s name is Carrie too 😀

I now have another book / author to add to my reading list. I discovered this blog from Katie Ganshert’s blog on Monday. I’m getting ready to read the second story of Lonnie and Gideon written by Joanne. Her first one really stirred my heart. I look forward to reading The Governess of Highland, with a box of tissues beside me.

I love a story that makes you cry, yes I have read a few, great authors make you feel just like you are with the characters and feel all they feel. I want to be in this drawing with all these wonderful fans..we readers stick together you know.
Paula O

Carrie, I loved your book, The Governess of Highland Hall and can’t wait for more! And I loved this review/interview about this “new to me” author. I would love to read her books. They will be put on my TBR list.
Debbie

OK, I am running out to buy tissues in preparation for reading this book.. I so would love to read both of your books as your both new to me. Julie, where have you been hiding these ladies ….? I so love a good story, ask Julie, I am a faithful reader and This year has been full of meeting wonderful authors and making friends. I feel blessed to get to know each of you. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful giveaway, can’t wait to see who wins. Yes Julie, I am doing each thing daily, faithfully…loyal to you girls !
Blessings
Linda Finn
Faithful Acre Bookshttp://www.faithfulacresbooks.wordpress.com
@FaithfulAcresBk on twitter
Faithful Acres Books on pinterest

When we read a love story I think we are always hoping that it will touch us and absorb us to the point of an emotional response. I read June Bug by Chris Fabry last evening and even though it did not have much of a traditional love story, it was a love story. One between a little girl and the man who surrounded her life with love as her ‘Dad”. Beautifully touching.
Joanne Bischoff is a new author to me that I am pleased to be introduced to. Thanks, Carrie.

Hm, quite a few books have made me cry… though not many recently. The most recent one was probably “Once Upon a Prince” by Rachel Hauck. I bought it expecting it to be a fun read, but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did! Yes, it was a modern day fairy tale, but so much of it rang true. The characters were very real, flawed people and I loved getting to know Susanna, Nathaniel, and their families. Rachel drew me into their story instantly, and and didn’t let me go until it was done (and now I’m dying for book 2 to come out). There were several points in the story where she had me tearing up from the beauty or sadness of a moment as Susanna and Nathaniel slowly began to find God’s plan for their lives. Wonderful story!

Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I’m hoping to get a chance to read your books Joanne and Carrie!

Wow, another author I’ve never heard of, Joanne Bischoff. I’ve found so many new authors this last month . It saddens me that if I do nothing , but read I’ll never have time to get to them all. I’ve loved reading since a small child. I’m looking forward to reading this series.Thanks for the chance to win 2 books.

What a beautiful post, Joanne!
The books that tugged at my heartstrings: Be Still My Soul, of course, &, A Light in the Window, by Julie Lessman. You both really know how to turn on the emotions, & I can’t wait for the next new book from each of you!

Congratulations to Linda Finn who is the winner of The Governess of Highland Hall and one of Joanne’s books. Thanks everyone for stopping by. Please visit Joanne’s website and enter her grand prize drawing for a lovely gift basket and an eReader! http://www.joannebischof.com/extras/blogtour/
Blessing and Happy Reading,
Carrie

I love, LOVE the Grace of Cadence series! I don’t think that I’ve ever been so emotionally invested in a book series before, especially Though My Heart is Torn. I found myself laughing, crying, yelling and being moved spiritually by these books. (yes, yelling at the books! It happened a lot when reading My Hope is Found and my husband found it quite humorous.) I know that they’re works of fiction but they will move you in a way that makes you feel like they are real people. I recently moved to the heart of the Appalachian mountains (I’m actually 1 hour away from Fancy Gap!) and have started to learn some of the history and hardships of the area. I’ve started to read the series again and I’m even more emotionally invested because I feel a connection to the area that I live in now.

Sorry to go on and on about Joanne’s books on your blog Carrie. I’m super excited for your book! Its on my wishlist for Christmas (I just started pharmacy school so funds are tight!). I hate having to wait that long because its sounds like such a good book! Hopefully I’ll win one of the giveaways and then I won’t have to wait until Christmas =)

Joanne, I am really enjoying getting a glimpse into your writing process. We all do it differently, and I love to see how you pour emotion into your stories. I want to be changed as I read. Carrie does a great job of making her characters connect with readers in her latest book, too!

After reading what all of you ladies have to say about her books I can’t WAIT to read Joanne’s books! The Governess at Highland Hall is on there as well. I love hearing about new authors. Thanks, ladies!

I love blot hops, they are so much fun. I enjoy reading everybody’s thoughts.
I recently read Irene Hannon’s book “Lethal Legacy ” I know it is a different genre than yours. I enjoy historical fiction too. I really got caught up in her story and would recommend her books to anyone. Thanks for the opportunity to win your book plus one of Joanne’s.

Yes! I recently read “Harvest of Gold” by Tessa Afshar and while it didn’t make me cry (few books actually do) it very much tugged on my heart-strings. I love Ms. Afshar’s writing! She makes Bible stories come alive and has such real and unconventional (for the time period) characters. I get so caught up in her books that I’ll look up and see 2 or 3 hours has gone by and I didn’t even notice! 🙂
I must admit, that I haven’t read either of your books, but I would love to! I love Historical Christian Fiction! 🙂
Blessings,
Sarah

I’m right in the middle (well, almost to the middle) of Joanne’s My Hope Is Found. I think that qualifies as a book that tugs the heartstrings. The entire Cadence of Grace series is one heartstring puller after another.

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